“Now you go!” Clara urged Maya, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced back toward the approaching footsteps. The sound echoed ominously in the narrow alley, each thud of heavy boots sending a jolt of urgency through her veins. They could feel the tension rising higher still, the panic bubbling beneath the surface as they both realized what was at stake.
Maya hesitated for just a moment, her eyes wide with fear. But Clara’s determined gaze pushed her forward. She scrambled up the chain-link fence, her fingers slipping slightly on the cold metal as she climbed. Clara kept watch, anxiety coursing through her as she stole glances over her shoulder. The shadows were closing in, and she could feel Victor’s rage even from a distance.
Finally, she spotted him—Victor emerged into view,
